CRIME

• Most crimes were still minor, including low value theft (continuity).
• There were still only a small percentage of violent crimes (continuity).
• In 1534 Henry VIII became Supreme Head of the Church of England. Anyone who disagreed with this was deemed a heretic.
• The Heresy Act was repealed by Edward VI but later revived by Mary I.
• Treason was a rare offence in the Early Modern Period but was greatly feared by monarchs.
• Poaching (fish, rabbits, birds etc) was still seen as a social crime (continuity).
• Vagrancy became a crime as a result of:

  • Population increase
  • Falling wages, rising food prices
  • Closure of monasteries (1536)
  • Migration to towns (especially London)
• Vagrants were seen as lazy, idle and criminal, and were often seen as a threat to social order.
• Despite their reputation, vagrants would only commit petty crimes, if any.
• 1597 Vagrancy Act - Distinguished difference between 'deserving' and 'undeserving' poor
• Pressure was put on the government to pass laws against vagrancy.
• Stories about vagrants and their negative stereotypes circulated via pamphlets, generating fear amongst the general population.
• In 1601, the 'deserving' poor were given relief.
• In 1576, Bridewells or 'Houses of Correction' were opened to combat vagrancy.
• Import taxes were introduced in the 1600s.
• Smuggling was seen as a social crime and was difficult to enforce as it was impossible to patrol every coast.
• Witchcraft was a minor crime in Medieval England, but in 1542, it became a more serious offense (illegal).
• There was an increase in witchcraft due to superstition, religious change, land and family disputes.
• Witchcraft peaked in South-East England in the 16th century.
• In 1604, the death penalty was issued to those 'summoning evil spirits'.
• New crimes:

  • Witchcraft
  • Smuggling
  • Vagrancy